Lee Sobot

LEEDS United head coach Steve Evans has dismissed his own claims of winning March’s Championship manager of the month award and admits it would be “100 per cent right” for Neil Warnock to take the gong at his own expense.

United have picked up just one point out of their last nine but a hat-trick of league wins in March before the 4-1 loss at home to Huddersfield Town has Evans shortlisted to win the Championship’s latest managerial accolade.

But Evans admits it is impossible to ignore the claims of Rotherham United boss Warnock who collected 10 points in 12 games in March to breathe new life into his club’s battle against relegation.

Four goals in March also has Whites’ striker Mirco Antenucci in the running to win the latest player of the month award, but Evans can see the accolade going to four-goal Burnley striker Sam Vokes, who Leeds will face this weekend.

Evans said: “We don’t know the results until tomorrow but I think if old Neil Warnock gets that award I think it’s 100 per cent right because you look at results. And I think possibly if Mirco Antenucci doesn’t get it then you would let the striker across at Burnley get it who has been quite outstanding as well.

“I think if it’s split either between Mirco or Vokes or it goes to Neil then they would have got those awards right.”

Reflecting on his own nomination, Evans reasoned: “I think any time you get recognised it is not only a testament to yourself as the head coach or the manager but to all your staff and more importantly your players.

“I think all bar the last few minutes at the end of a game we had quite a special month but it’s time for us to try and re-create something like that.”

Evans and Warnock face competition from Burnley boss Sean Dyche and Cardiff City chief Russell Slade for the manager of the month award.

Antenucci and Vokes are taking on Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees and Rotherham midfielder Lee Frecklington to win the March player award.